Tire spoons and manual tools, what do you use?

[russelbry]

I just installed a 16" truck tire (load range E) and I did not have the proper tools, it was a pain in the ***. What do you guys recommend? I also have up to 22.5 tires on a few of my trucks. Things that I can see I need for sure:

Soap with a brush (I used dawn and my fingers)

Tire spoons

Clip on air chuck

Who makes the best tire tools?

 

[outlawz2004]

I have a couple tire spoons about 30-36" long, but I mainly use the one bar that came with my harbor freight tire changer. I don't usually use dish soap or any tire soap, I mainly just use some tire shine, the foam spray cheaper stuff. Tire slides right off and new ones goes right on, never have a problem seating the beads either. I don't use the tire foam unless I have to, and then I use just enough to get it done. Usually more so removing the tire than installing one.

 

[bobcatdan]

I have two I believe 42" long Kent-More tire bars and a long handle duck bill bead breaker hammer. Also a cheetah bead setter. Thats my wet up for mainly skidsteer tires. A tube a bead lube. An assortment of lock on chuck's because one style is never enough. I also find a mid size vise grip handy for holding the top bead in place while mounting. On a good day, start to finish I can do a 12 ply 16.5" in about 15 minutes.

 

[Milton Shaw]

Ken Tool was the brand I always used, I don't know if they are still in business but they were American made. They had everything from spoons to duck bill hammers.

 

[Wes J]

Ken tool tubeless tire bars. You need two.

You need a bead breaking hammer or slide hammer, bead seating air blaster, and a good air chuck. You also need the valve core and valve stem tools.

Changing truck tires is a lot of work but can be done with hand tools. Changing low profile car tires by hand would be a PITA.

 

[CutterFarms]

I use two Ken tool double ended spoons one end is for tubes and has sort of a double bend it it. The other end is straight. And have a couple curved they are all 30" or longer and work very well. I usually use the vise grip trick all all my tires on the farm are steel. I'd also get a couple valve stem and valve core tools and your in business, not very hard at all. I dis a 18.4-38 Monday in about 30 min and that was in the field and wire brushing the rim down good. I ordered my double end spoons from O'Reilly and they are awesome.

 

[zcbauer89]

Ken tool tire spoons are what I use. I have bars from 18 to 36 inches that I've used on tires. I use the Napa tire soap, I think it works petty good.

 

[Farmall 1066]

Slide hammer bead breaker and Ken Tool tire spoons. Got 2 18" ones from Northern Tool that work just fine too.
I've got a tire machine, but use these often too.

 

[sberry]

bead breaker

 

[shockwave]

You need the very big tire spoons a lot of tire paste a cheetah bead seater

We use a trailer ball to mount wheel to older lift to hold wheel in place while changing tire

And a big pry bar like 60 inch will help aswell

 

[oldtractors]

I have a pair of these: http://www.motionpro.com/product/08-0007

I have done everything from a 6" lawmower tire, to motorcycle tires, to 38" rear tractor tires. It is all in the technique. Bigger tire irons are not needed, and will probably bend the rim.

 

[Outlander]

HF tools for the once every 2 years I use my changer that set me back $30!